ing, Joan and Hugh, till Helen should leave them. But
Helen lingered with less than her usual tact, lingered with a mind
filled with vague suspicions, wondering why Johnny had not come.

Sitting near the window she could see the drive, and presently a young
girl on an old bicycle coming up it. Helen stared.

"Why, here is Ellice Brand," she said, and fears took possession of her.
There was something wrong! Johnny was ill, or had met with an accident.
Ellice had ridden over to tell them.

"I'll go and see her, Joan," she said, and so at last was gone.

Hugh closed the door after her.

"You've been anxious?" he said briefly.

"Naturally!"

"There was no need. I had to give him what I had promised him, one must
always keep one's word. It was rather a brutal business, Joan, but I had
to go through with it. I'd sooner not tell you anything more. I am not
proud of it."

"I--I understand, and you can understand that I was anxious."

"For him?"

"For--for you."

"For me?" He took two long strides to her. "Joan, are you going to let
your pride rear impassable walls between us for ever? Can't you be fair,
generous, natural, true to yourself? Can't you see how great, how
overwhelming my love for you is?"

"There is--is something more than pride between us, Hugh."

"There is nothing--nothing that cannot be broken; that cannot be forced
and broken down," he said eagerly. "You are to marry a man you do not
love. Why should you? Would it be fair to yourself? Would it be fair to
me? Would it be fair to your future? Think while there is time."

"I cannot," she said. "I have given him my promise--and I shall stand by
it." She drew her hands away. "It is useless, Hugh. Useless now--if I
did rear walls of pride between you and myself. I confess it now, I did;
but they are so strong that we may not break them down."

"They shall be broken down!" he said. "Answer me this--this question
truthfully, and from your soul. Look into my eyes, and answer me in one
word, yes or no?" He held her hands again; he held her so that she must
face him, and so holding her, looking into her eyes, he asked her: "Do
you love me? Have you given to me some of your heart, knowing that I
have given all of mine to you, knowing that I love you so, and need you
and long for you? Do you love me a little in return, Joan?"

She was silent; her eyes met his bravely enough, yet it seemed as if she
had no control upon her lips, the word would not come. On